YOUR NEWBORN TO 1 MONTH OLD

POINTS TO REMEMBER

SAFETY

 ALWAYS WASH your hands before preparing food, after changing diapers, or using the bathroom to prevent your baby from getting infections.

 ALWAYS PLACE your baby on his/her BACK TO SLEEP, unless instructed not to do so by your health care provider.

 ELIMINATE tobacco smoke in your infant’s environment (daycare, babysitter, relative, etc.). Make your home and car a no-smoking zone.

 ALWAYS use an infant seat and BUCKLE your baby in the seat correctly. Place the infant seat in the back seat, facing the rear of the car.

 TO PROTECT your baby in the first month of life, do not let her be handled by many people. Avoid crowded places, overdressing, and exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.

 AVOID overheating your baby by dressing him/her with TOO MANY clothes or APPLYING too many blankets.

 NEVER leave your baby UNATTENDED in a vehicle. NEVER leave your baby alone with pet or other young children.

 TAKE your baby to a health-care provider’s office for REGULAR well childcare and immunizations.

 EARLY SIGNS that your baby may be ill are fever, vomiting diarrhea, or failure to eat. If your baby has any of these signs, h/she needs to be TAKEN to your health care provider for evaluation and treatment.

 DO NOT take your baby’s temperature by ear or mouth until she is 4 years of age. Taking your baby’s temperature rectally is preferred. A rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever.

 INSTALL smoke detectors in your home. CHANGE the batteries twice a year in the spring and fall when the time changes.

 DON’T ALLOW your baby to ride in vehicles if you suspect the driver has been using alcohol or drugs. NEVER ALLOW anyone who is drinking or using drugs to babysit with your baby.

 DON’T leave your baby alone in a tub of water, or on high places (i.e. changing tables, beds, sofas, or chairs). ALWAYS keep one hand on your baby.

 DON’T drink hot liquids or smoke cigarettes while holding your baby.

 MOST medications are compatible with breastfeeding, but check them individually with your nurse or health care professional.

MCH-12 (Revised 03/2013)

NUTRITION

 EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding continues to be the baby’s best source of nutrition during the first 4 to 6 months of life.

 IF YOU ARE BOTTLE FEEDING your baby, feed your baby iron-fortified formula. DO NOT heat your baby’s bottle in a microwave.

 DO NOT feed your baby by PROPPING a bottle in his/her mouth. This puts your baby at risk for choking, ear infections, and early childhood dental caries.

 HEALTHY babies DO NOT require extra water, as breast milk and formula (when properly prepared) are adequate to meet the newborn’s fluid needs.

 EXPECT your baby to gain 2 pounds the first month. ASK your health care provider about the WIC program.

MCH-12 (Revised 03/2013)

CARE and INTERACTIONS

 NURTURE your baby by holding, cuddling, talking, singing, and rocking him/her.

 Spend time PLAYING and TALKING with your baby during his/her quite/alert times.

 When your baby cries, he/she can usually be CALMED DOWN by being spoken to or held. There may be times when you will not be able to stop your baby from crying no matter what you do (have PATIENCE, after some time, he/she will calm down).

 Your baby should be soiling, (WETTING), 5 to 6 diapers a day and stoking 3 or 4 times a day and gaining weight appropriately. The number of bowel movements may decrease and by 6 weeks, breastfed infants may have stools as infrequently as every 3 days.

 TAKE TIME for yourself and spend some individual time with your partner, friends and family members.

 AVOID socially isolating yourself.

GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT

The following milestones are typical for babies as they develop:

A 1 MONTH OLD CHILD

 MOVES both arms and legs.  RESPONDS to sounds by blinking, crying, or startled movements.  LIFTS head for short time when on stomach.  LOOKS at faces and follows movements with eyes. HAS started to smile.  MAKES throaty noises.

Reference: Hagan, JF, Shaw JS, Duncan PM, Eds. 2008: Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents.Third Edition. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

MCH-12 (Revised 03/2013)